All Chapters of Unexpected Bride: Chapter 1 - Chapter 8

8 Chapters

Chapter 1

My father, Marvin Yates, and my mother, Anna Carter, froze for a second before standing up, disbelief written all over their faces."Hayden Yates, are you pulling our leg?"I looked at them, my voice steady. "I'm serious. I like Larissa."I glanced over at the small, delicate figure tucked away in the corner, and my heart missed a beat.In my previous life, Holly Smith had shattered my heart with her fake death. It was Larissa Shaw who had been there, slowly helping me piece it back together.Larissa stayed by my side through it all, right up until my last breath. In those final moments, through the haze, I saw her holding me, weeping as if her world was ending.That was when I knew she was in love with me all along."Hayden!" Marvin hissed, trying to keep his voice down."You've always had a thing for Holly from the Smiths, right? If not her, there's the Gibsons and the Stewarts!"You grew up with those girls, you know them through and through, but Larissa… She's just a maid'

Chapter 2

Larissa's punch sent Holly sprawling to the floor.Regaining her composure, Holly shot up and jabbed a finger at Larissa's nose as she shouted, "You're just a maid's daughter! How dare you hit me?!"Jack tenderly caressed Holly's face, his own twisted with concern, before turning his attention to me. "Hayden, if you're mad, come at me, but don't you dare hit a woman!"His words barely hung in the air before my fist connected with his cheek. "It's not just her. I'm hitting you too!"Jack clutched his face, his eyes brimming with defiance.Wren quickly stepped in, shoving me back. "Hayden! You might be the rich heir, but that doesn't give you the right to act like this! No wonder Holly has been avoiding your gaze for years. You're just too cruel!" I turned to face them, an icy laugh escaping me. "Seems like you've forgotten that your family's business owes its success to the Yates family's backing. Even Larissa gets it. How come you don't?" At that, Wren clamped her mouth shut.

Chapter 3

"Why wouldn't I want to..."Before Larissa could finish, Holly's voice pierced through from outside."I've bought everything in the store!"Her voice was laced with barely concealed annoyance. "I might as well give it all to the homeless!"The salesperson, holding the jewelry I had picked out for Larissa, gave her an apologetic look."Mr. Yates has already purchased these pieces…"Holly icily interrupted, "He hasn't paid yet, has he?!"She whipped out her exclusive black card and waved it in front of the clerk. "Money talks. I'm paying now, so they're mine."I chuckled under my breath and took the jewelry from the salesperson. "Charge it to my prepaid card."The salesperson let out a relieved sigh and quickly processed the transaction.As I walked away, Holly's booming voice followed, "Hayden, cut the act! All this playing hard to get? Your game is weak!"I did not give her the satisfaction of a response and sped up my exit.On the way home, Larissa gripped my hand firmly,

Chapter 4

Holly's brow creased at the sight of Larissa, her face a mask of annoyance."You again? What's my wedding to Hayden got to do with you? Leave!"However, Larissa brushed her off, marched up, and yanked me to her side.She glared at Holly and icily snapped, "I told you to let go of my husband. Are you deaf?!"My parents rushed over, anxious to see if I was hurt.The sight of the red mark on my face sent them into a rage. "When did it become Hayden's turn to marry into the Smith family?"That was when Holly realized that I was not kidding.Holly paused, taken aback, then retorted with her neck outstretched, "Hayden must be joking, marrying this maid's kid just to get back at me! As if she could ever measure up to me, a mere maid's brat!"Wren sneered at the line of luxury cars behind Larissa. "I wonder where the servant scrounged up the cash to show off like this."Tracy, ever observant, caught sight of Xavier Shaw stepping out from the last car.Pointing at Xavier, she taunted

Chapter 5

Holly was face-down on the ground, her expression one of utter disbelief."What's wrong with you people?! I'm Holly Smith, the Smith family's heiress! My parents have just arranged to meet Mr. Shaw. Let go of me right now!"Xavier's face was stormy as he stared down at the three women. "Which one of you struck my daughter?"Holly's voice was incredulous, even as she lay pinned to the floor, "Daughter? How can she be your daughter? Isn't she the maid's girl from the Yates household?"The onlookers started murmuring, their whispers growing into a buzz of gossip."So that's why Mr. Yates gave his blessing for Hayden to marry her. She's the hidden gem of Mr. Shaw, the wealthiest man in the world!""With the Yates and Shaw families joining forces, their grip on the city's wealth is unshakeable now!""Ha, that clueless Smith girl just slapped someone and dared to challenge the Yates family! I'd love to see how she wriggles out of this one!"Holly's head spun as she listened, shaking

Chapter 6

Wren and Tracy's composure shattered."Holly's the one who wanted to come here. What has that got to do with us?"You can't do this. If my folks find out, they'll have my head!" Their eyes were wide with fear and regret. Jack finally snapped out of it, letting out a disbelieving sigh. He wrapped his arms around Holly. "Holly, we'll make it without their deals. I have faith in you. The Smiths can still come out on top..." He was cut off mid-sentence as Tania's hand flew across his face."How dare you even speak?! If it weren't for you, my daughter would never have landed in this mess, and Hayden would already be my son-in-law!" Jack reeled from the blows but still managed to say with defiance, "Holly told me she doesn't love Hayden! She loves me the most! The Smith family's massive enterprise isn't going to crumble because of one guy like Hayden. Don't let them scare you!" However, Tania was not having any of it and slapped him again. "Look closely. The Shaw family is the

Chapter 7

They were a mess, arms in slings, faces pale, eyes brimming with pain.Holly, upon seeing me, lunged forward despite her wounds. "Hayden!"Larissa's brow furrowed, ready to step in, but I stopped her with a hand.I could not help but wonder what they were planning next.When Holly saw me block Larissa's path, tears streamed down her face as she mistook my intentions."Hayden, I knew deep down you couldn't let me go! I've cut Jack out of my life for good! Please, just give me one more chance. Can you?"Wren and Tracy closed in, their faces etched with desperation."Hayden, we've uncovered the truth!""It was all a sham. No one was ever going to take Jack down, it was all his own twisted performance!"Tracy chimed in, her voice laced with urgency. "I promise, from now on, I'll only have eyes for you! No other man will ever fool me again!"Their pleas only made me laugh.If it was so easy to uncover the truth, why had they been so easily swayed by Jack's lies to hurt me in the

Chapter 8

The cops showed up twenty minutes later.I was waiting by the door, watching them knock.Holly was shocked when she saw them. "What's this about?"The officer replied, "We got a call about a break-in. Are you the homeowner?""Obviously. It's my place," Holly replied, like it was the most ridiculous question.The officer was not having any of it. "Alright then, show us the deed."That was when Larissa and I strolled up.Deed in hand, I grinned at the officer. "I made the call. This is my house."Holly's jaw dropped when she saw me. "Hayden? When did you get back? Why didn't you tell me so I could pick you up?"I replied, "What, are you homeless? Why are you squatting in my place?"Holly was in a tailspin, pointing at Jack. "It's not me! He's the one! He said we could move in!"Jack was a mess, eyes darting between Holly and I. "You said I could crash here when you left, Hayden!"He was tugging at my sleeve, pleading, "Hayden, you're supposed to be helping me out. How can you

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